Mahdi “Mark” Sabri, P.E., has joined Atkins’ transit and rail practice as project management systems director. In his new role, Sabri will lead efforts to reshape and evolve the engineering practices of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA). He will also provide technical leadership for several high-profile projects related to MARTA’s capital improvement program.

“Atkins’ footprint in the transit and rail industry is expanding,” said Sabri, “and I’m excited about using my knowledge and experience to help propel Atkins’ rail practice to the next level.”

Sabri has 20 years of experience in railway system engineering. His extensive experience includes communications-based train control (CBTC), positive train control (PTC), interlocking, onboard control, centralized traffic control (CTC), and reliability, availability, maintainability, and safety (RAMS) technology. Most recently, he worked in New York as a senior engineering manager on the $500 million CBTC upgrade program of Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH). He also served as lead system engineer for the largest incremental train control system (ITCS) project in the history of GE Transportation’s global signaling efforts: a 174-mile-long private railway for hauling iron ore in Pilbara, Western Australia.

“Mark’s extensive knowledge and vast experience in transit and rail will expand the quality of work we bring to our clients,” said Jon McDonald, senior practice manager for Atkins’ transit and rail group. “We’re excited to have him onboard. His broad international experience and knowledge of systems engineering practices will certainly help advance our practice.”